Multiple folding picture frame



July 6, 1937. E. RUTYNA MULTIPLE FOLDING PICTURE FRAME Filed June 6, 1936 Patented July 6, 1937 Unire sTArss PATENT OFFICE 3 Claims.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in a multiple folding picture frame.

l The invention has for an object the construction of a device as mentioned which is characterized by a .onepiece frame having inward dirested U-shaped arms on all sides but one, said latter side to be of L-shape and disposed so as to be open at the back of the frame. When thus constructed, it is possible to push a picture into the frame through the open side and remove it whenever desired.

. Still further the invention proposes to arrange a back board behind the picture which is adapted to hold the picture in position and which may also be removed through said back opening.

A further object of the invention is to arrange a support for the picture frame which is hingedly mounted and which is adapted to be pivoted to an inoperative position. A further feature is to arrange the support in such a manner that when in operative position it holds the back board, mentioned in the previous paragraph, against being withdrawn.

Still further the invention proposes the provi- 25 sion of hingedly mounted sections upon the frame in which pictures are supported.

Another object is the construction of an article as mentioned which is simple and durable and which may be manufactured and sold at a rea- 39 sonable cost.

For further comprehension of the invention, and of the objects and advantages thereof, reference will be had to the following description and accompanying drawing, and to the appended 35 claims in which the various novel features of the invention are more particularly set forth.

In the accompanying drawing forming a material part of this disclosure:-

Fig. 1 is a front elevational view of a multiple folding picture frame constructed according to this invention.

Fig. 2 is an end elevational view of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a rear elevational view of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a perspective View of the device shown 45 with the front panel doors open.

Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken on the line 5 5 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary horizontal sectional view taken on the line of Fig. 4.

The multiple folding picture frame, according to this invention, comprises a one piece frame I0 having inward directed U-shaped arms on threesides, indicated by the reference numerals Illa, IUb, and IBC, and at the other side (the bot- 55 tom side) having an L-shaped arm as indicated by the reference numeral Ind. This L-shaped arm is clearly shown in Fig. 5. An inspection of Fig. 3 will show that because of the L-shaped arm the bottom of the picture frame is open. Through this back opening other elements may be slipped into and from the frame.

As sho-wn on the drawing, there is a composite picture formed by a pair of adjacent picture sections IIa and IIb. Superimposed to the front of these pictures there are panes of glass I2a and I2b. A cover strip I3 is extended across the adjacent edges of the glass panels I2a and I2b and serves to hide the exposed edges. This cover strip has its top and bottom ends engaged into the frame IB.

A back board I5 is arranged behind the picture sections I Ia and IIb and is also removable through the open back side of the frame. This back board may be cardboard or the like.

A support I6 for the picture frame has a hinge I'I at the top by which it is hingedly mounted. This support has its upper end engaged against the back of the'back board I5. It is also provided with a pair of projecting pins I8 which engage into receiving apertures I9 in the back board I5 to hold the back board in position. The other portions of the support I6 extend outward at an angle, as clearly shown in Fig. 2, which is sufficient to hold the picture frame substantially in a vertical position.

A small ornamental element is mounted upon the top of the picture frame. The picture frame is decorated with engraving 2I. A spring 22 is coaxially arranged on the pivot of the hinge Il and normally urges the hinge into the position shown in Figs. 2 and 5, that is, a position in which the pins I8 engage the openings I9. The spring 22 normally urges the top of the support I6 flat against the top of the back board I5, so that the projecting pins I8 on the support I6 may engage into the apertures I9 in the back board I6 and so hold it in fixed position. From an examination of Fig. 5 it will be noted that there is a space between the inwardly extending arm of the member llia and the lower arm I0 of the member Id, and that the back board I6 would normally tend to slide through the opening. When it is desired to remove or change the pictures it is necessary to pivot the member I6 against the normal action of the spring 22 to disengage the pins I8 from the apertures I9 to allow the back board I6 to be removed from the frame through the opening between the members I0 and I0a and then removing the picture through the opening. The picture I Ib normally rests against the top surface of the member l to prevent it from sliding out of the frame.

A pair of panel doors 23 and 24 are hingedly mounted at their outer ends upon the front side at the ends of the picture frame l0. Each of these panel doors is composed of a one piece frame having inwardly directed U-shaped arms. Built into these frames there are pictures 26 and 2l, back against back. These pictures are covered with glass panes 28. Thus, both from the frontV and back sides of the panel doors a picture is viewable. The arms which form the yframes 23 are joined at their ends by brazing or the like. The three sides of the frame are assembled, the pictures and glass panes inserted, and the fourth side secured in position.

A covering strip 29 is attached upon the outer end of the panel door 24 and is provided with a handle 30 by which the door may be opened and closed. This strip 29 extends over the edge of the panel door 23 when the panel doors are closed. The panelidoors are decorated with engraving 3l.

The cover strip i3 may be shifted to the right or left'only when the support i6 is pvoted lupwards. `When the support is in the operative position Vthe spring 22 presses the support i6 against the back board 5, which in turn transmits the pressure against the cover strip i3 and locks it in position.

The front side of the picture frame i6 is formed with a groove ille formed by bulging out the material of the frame. This bulged portion is ornamental. The grooved portion is for the purpose of rendering the frame resilient to oppose the pressure of the holding strip i3. Thus the holding strip is rxmly held in position.

While I have illustrated and described the preferred embodiment of my invention, it is; to be understood that I do not limit myself to the precise construction herein disclosed and the right is reserved to all changes and modifications coming within the scope of the invention as dened in the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention what I claim as new, and desire to secure by United States Letters Patent is:-

l. A multiple folding picture frame, comprising a one piece frame having inward directed U-shaped arms on all sides but one, said latter side being L-shaped and disposed so as to be open at the back of said frame, a picture in 'said frame, a back board behind said picture and removable through the open back of said frame, and a support Vfor the picture frame hingedly mounted on said frame and engaging said back board for holding same in position, said support having the hinged connection at the top, and a spring being arranged thereon to urge the support into operative position, said support having projecting pins engageable into openings in said back board to hold the back board.

2. A multiple folding picture frame, comprising a one piece iramemhaving inward directed U-shaped armsn all sides but one, said latter side being L-shaped and disposed so as to be open at the back of said frame, a picture in said frame, a back board behind said picture and removable through the open back of said frame, and a support for the picture frame hingedly mounted on said frame and engaging said back board for holding same in position, said picture being a composite picture formed of adjacent sections, and a cover strip engaged over the adjacent edges of said sections, said cover strip being held Within the frame by having its top and bottom ends engaged within the frame, and a spring urging said support against the back board, which in turn transmits pressure to said holding strip and maintains it in position.

3. A multiple folding picture frame, comprising a one piece frame having inward directed U-shaped arms on all sides but one, said latter side being L-shaped and disposed so as to be open at the back of said frame, a picture in said frame, a back board behindsaid picture and removable through the open back oi said frame, and a support for the picture frame hingedly mounted on said frame and engaging said back board for holding same in position, said picture being a composite picture formed of adjacent sections, and a cover strip engaged over the adjacent edges oi said sections, said cover strip being held within the frame by having its top and bottom ends engaged within the frame, and a spring urging said support against the back board, which in turn transmits pressure to said holding strip and maintains it in position, and grooves formed in said frame to render the frame resilient for assisting in holding said cover strip in position.

EDWARD RUTYNA. 

